Oregon State Post-Game Quotes
March 19, 2012 | Men's Basketball
March 19, 2012
Oregon State 101, TCU 81
2012 CBI presented by ZEBRA PEN - QUARTERFINAL ROUND
March 19, 2012
Gill Coliseum
Corvallis, Ore.
Head coach Craig Robinson
Opening Comment...
"I keep saying this, but it sure is fun to still be playing and watching this team work. And I mean not just in the games because watching them work this week in practice, I am very fearful in their attention span because it has been a long season, but they just won't do it. They are just so interested in playing and being good. They have been a typical Oregon State team because they just keep getting better and better no matter how long the season is. It is really nice to see. The big thing I will bring up in this game is if you look at the 24 assists and the 58 points in the paint, I don't think I have ever been a part of a team with a group of guys that do not care who does what. They just do what is necessary to win."
On when in the season the team started clicking well...
"It felt like when we were in the second Civil War game, even though we didn't win that game, it felt like we were playing like we knew we should win and there was a certain way to play. After that we went on a nice little run and ended with the Arizona game, but I don't even think that was a true testament of where we were. That was the third hard game in three days and I think we just ran out of gas. If we had a day to rest or maybe playing in the championship game instead of the semis, we may have mustered up some more fumes. But in that second Civil War game I saw a different look in those guys eyes about going and executing in the games."
On what shooting 65 percent as a team does for him as a coach...
"It makes it easier. It is just remarkable and I think the 65 percent is a result of sharing the basketball. We have been harping on our guys all year about keeping the ball moving to find the right guy. They all have the ability to see what is going on and they are all unselfish. Just one pass after another, and it makes my life easier."
On if the team chemistry will affect Cunningham's decision to turn pro...
"I can't answer that because I would be guessing. I think that one thing doesn't have to do with the other. One decision is going to be a complete business decision, other than what a kid would prefer to do. I am hopeful that whatever works out, is the best thing for him. Jared loves these guys and loves playing, but if it is in his best interest to not come back then he shouldn't come back. I am just hoping that the information that comes back is accurate and the decision is based on accurate information."
On if he is ever worried that the team won't play how they practice...
"This is a different team. When I first got here you could never guess what was going to happen in a game based on practice. With this team, I know exactly what I am going to get every single day based on how practice went. Somewhere midway through the non-conference season I knew how these guys practiced was how they would play and it has been consistent. The interest part is really at practice. We have kept it kind of short and sweet. They work on stuff hard while we are working on it and then we are done and they are back the next day ready for more."
On Kevin McShane scoring the 100th point in his 100th game...
"I can't be more excited for Kevin. I am so happy we are still playing and one of the big reasons is for him. He took a real tumble and I didn't know he was going to be able to play in this game. I am just happy that we are getting to play more teams so he can extend his career."
On playing Washington State four times in a year...
"It is very reminiscent of the first year when we played in this. It seemed like we played Stanford four times. It is hard to play guys four times. They know exactly what we do. Their staff does a great job and there won't be any surprises and it is going to be a grind out game."
On the importance of playing at home against an unfamiliar team...
"I thought that our student section was pretty darn good for it being the week of exams. It wasn't a big crowd, but it sure felt like it and they were really into it. We had a lot of season ticket holders in that little bowl. It is important to have your fans there supporting you when you are in games like this. The guys are expected to be excited to play because they are the players, but they get even more excited when there are plenty of people in the stands. So it was nice to see the student section out, not quite in full force, but it was certainly more significant than we thought it was going to be given the time during the quarter."
Junior guard Jared Cunningham
On the offense finding easy buckets...
"We just played it to our advantage and took what they gave us. They gave us the three-point shots and we shot them. Once they played up on us, we went back door and got some easy layups. We just went past them. They were a good team, but we played hard tonight, and we played to the end."
On looking ahead to Washington State...
"We just won tonight so we'll come back to practice tomorrow, just study the game plan, and get ready to play them. It's going to be a hard battle, but it's on our home court. On our home court, we've been playing really good so just expect us to get out early and play hard."
Junior center Angus Brandt
On whether the team is more comfortable with each other now...
"Yeah, to a certain extent. Playing all season long you get to know each other's tendencies on the court. So yeah, definitely."
On being asked how he feels about facing Washington State for the fourth time this season...
"Feels good; bring it on."
On how much fun they are having out there...
"It's really fun playing in the postseason in that kind of do-or-die situation. I guess it is bringing out the best in us. It's great. I love it."
